Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Allegany State Park - Red House Area

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NIGHT DESK NOW AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC

PLEASE BE ADVISED Allegany State Park now has overnight coverage for your non-emergency maintenance needs. Located in the Red House Administration Building, the Night Desk is staffed every night from 4:00 PM – 8:00 AM the following day. If you have a specific maintenance need, would like to report an issue or concern, or simply have a general inquiry, the Night Desk can be reached at 716-379-6919, or you can stop in to speak with a staff member in the lobby of the Administration Building.


Allegany State Park-Primary Occupant

Please note, permits for all cabin, campsite, and cottage reservations are non-transferable. Only the Primary Occupant listed on the reservation will be permitted to check in.


Friends Boat Launch Closure

Friends Boat Lunch in the Quaker area of Allegany State Park is closed for the season due to low water levels.


Red House Bike Path Construction

Attention Red House Bike Path Users: Beginning 10/21/24 renovations will begin on portions of the RH Bike Path which include reconstruction of the path, paving, and installation of a new connector segment in the RH Boat Launch area to improve pedestrian safety. Please plan for segments of the trail to be closed during the project. Visitors can utilize the new Quaker Run Area Multi-Use Trail as an alternate place to walk and bicycle. Thanks for your patience as we make these upgrades to the park.

Address
2373 ASP, Rte 1, Suite 3
Salamanca, NY 14779
Latitude 42.102865649100004
Longitude -78.744527430600002

The Red House Area is known for the historic tudor-style Administration Building with everything centrally located around Red House Lake. It offers 5 miles of paved bike paths, boat and bike rentals, a sandy beach for swimming, fishing and snowmobiling. Feel free to exercise by walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, playing softball, tennis, horseshoes or even a game of volleyball. The Administration Building features a natural history museum, regional headquarters and a gift shop. Thunder Rocks is an impressive bedrock city that allows for the nature lover to see the hidden beauty that this park is known for. The Stone Tower structure shows vistas of the rolling hills of mature forests. The many beaver ponds are a good place to observe the diversity of wildlife located in the park.

Campers are offered anything from a weekend retreat to an extended vacation with a total of 125 campsites, 144 cabins, and two group camps for rent. The Pitt Cottage is Allegany's vacation rental. Reminiscent of a classic hunting lodge, the cottage offers the same amenities as the Fancher Cottages in the Quaker Area. Located on Allegany State Park Rte. 2, the cottage is adjacent to Congdon Trail and three miles from the Administration Building. Please note: Pitt Cottage is not accessible.

Allegany Quaker Area

Make the most of your visit to Allegany State Park and the surrounding area. See what the Enchanted Mountains have to offer: Enchanted Mountains.

Pavilion Information
Allegany has three pavilions. Prices range from $82.25 to $107.25 a day and can accommodate a maximum of 50 people. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com

ALERT

  • During your visit you may encounter wildlife. Some of these encounters may even occur in high use areas, such as picnic areas, cabin trails and tent and trailer sites. Be advised that feeding (intentionally or unintentionally) and harassing wildlife, especially bear, may result in fines and/or eviction. Please report nuisance wildlife activity in high use areas to Park staff immediately.
  • An infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle has been documented near Allegany State Park. This is the first occurrence documented in New York State. Patrons are encouraged not to bring firewood with them into the park. Kiln dried firewood will be available at the park.
    For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer beetle and firewood regulations see the New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) website at:
    http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html and http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/28722.html

 

Current Water Quality - Beach Results.

 

Pet Policy: A maximum of two pets are allowed in campsites and day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).

Hours of Operation

  • Red House Natural History Museum: Open daily
  • 2024 Camping Season: 

    Campsites: 5/17-10/26
    Cabins: Anderson, Beehunter, Congdon, McIntosh: Available 5/17 - 11/30. Ryan: Available 5/19 - 10/28. Sugarbush & Summit: Available year-round
    Cottages: (Bova) Available year-round, Pitt Cottage: 5/17 - 10/26
    Group Camps: 5/17 - 10/13 (Group Camp 12)

    Please note: You must have a reservation to camp. No Walk-up camping stays will be accepted.
    Check-in time is 3:00pm and check-out time is 11:00am



    Cabin Rental Office:
    Peak Season (6/24/2024 thru 8/26/2024)
    9:00am-8:00pm Mon-Thurs
    9:00am-10:00pm Fri-Sun

    Off-Season
    Sunday-Thursday: 9:00am-6:00pm
    Friday:  9:00am-10:00pm
    Saturday:  9:00am-8:00pm

    **Check-in at the Allegany State Park Night Desk located in the Red House Administration Building lobby, if arriving after business hours.



  • Allegany State Park is open year round.
  • 2024 Swimming Season: 

    6/23 - 9/2
    Daily, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM


Fees & Rates

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.

The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.

  • Vehicle Entrance Fee
  • Vehicle Use Fee: $7
    Non-profit Bus Fee: $35
    Commercial Bus Fee: $75

    Collected from 9 AM - 4:30 PM
    5/27 - 6/18: Weekends & holidays only
    6/24 - 9/4: Daily
    9/9 - 10/9: Weekends & holidays only
  • Camping
  • Campsites:
    $19-$31/night

    *$5 nightly fee for non-NYS residents

    Cabins:
    Daily rate is 1/4 the weekly charge
    $294 - $484, weekly.

    *$7 nightly fee or $28 weekly fee for non-NYS residents

    Cottages:
    Nightly - $143.75
    Weekly - $575 Pitt Cottage only
    Nightly - $228.75
    Weekly - $915.00 Bova Cottages

    Group Camping:
    (Group Camp 12)
    Nightly: $375
    Weekly: $1500
    *$5 fee for non-NYS residents

    Summit Warming Hut (available 4/1 to 12/19): $250

    Picnicking & shelters
    Red House $82.25 per day
    Beehunter $107.25 per day

Maps

Digital Maps

New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.

Firewood source maps show a 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. For more information see firewood restrictions.

Allegany State Park is Western New York's natural playground. 65,000 acres of mature forest, open fields, three lakes plus access to the Kinzua Reservoir and abundant wildlife make this one of the most beautiful areas to spend time outdoors. Hiking, fishing, camping, boating/kayaking, snowmobiling, X-country skiing and wildlife viewing makes this the premier, year-round place to experience nature up close.

The park is divided into two sections: Red House Area, the Regional Headquarters, can be accessed off I-86, exits 19 and 21 and Quaker Run accessed off I-86 at exit 18. Also an entrance in the south from Bradford, PA, can be accessed off Interstate Parkway.

Highlights of Allegany State Park:

  • Thunder Rocks - a cluster of huge conglomerate boulders at the top of the ridge offers a lesson in geology for the curious minded. There are several things to look for among these impressive rocks. The weather has sculptured several rocks into fascinating shapes where children have found gorillas, a whale, a frog and a turtle. The area also contains many Appalachian species of plants not usually found in Western New York.
  • Bear Caves - 165 million years ago great geological activity caused block-faulting and uplifting to occur throughout the region. This resulted in openings in the bedrock along collapsed faults creating cave-like openings.
  • Fire Tower - a restored 1926 fire tower sits on one of the highest peaks in the Red House Area. There are weekend tours during the summer where you can climb to the top for a spectacular view.
  • Old Growth Forest - over 3,000 acres of mature forest with some of the largest trees in the state.
  • Old Quaker Store Museum - the history of the Park from ancient bedrock formation to the park's development is displayed and interpreted for the park visitor.
  • Red House Administration Building and Natural History Museum - 3 story rustic tudor style building houses the administrative offices for the Allegany Region as well as a gift shop, restaurant, rental office and museum displaying the wildlife native to the park.
  • North Country/Finger Lakes Trail - the national trail from the Adirondacks in the east to North Dakota in the west. 18 miles of the trail traverse the park passing through some of the most impressive mature forest in NYS and connecting in the south to the Allegheny National Forest and beyond.

What will you see? Plan your visit today!

Look and listen for these birds at our Park:

Everyone is a Steward: Be an Allegany State Park Hero!

Know the rules and concerns for the area you'll be visiting.

Use a map and compass instead of flagging, rock cairns, or marking paint.

Hike and camp on established, durable trails and campsites.

Leave all natural objects as you find them.

Be careful with your fire.

Respect wildlife and observe from a distance.

For more information, please read our Trail Tips!

Ask a Naturalist!

Q: Do bears live in the Bear Caves?

A: No, the caves are too cold and damp; bears prefer to den under downed trees or logs and beneath roots where it is dry and warm.

Q: Did the glaciers put the big rocks up at Thunder Rocks?

A: No, the rocks are a result of erosion exposing the bedrock and then weathering them down to what you see today. This area was not glaciated in the last ice age.

Q: Can I feed the bears and raccoons?

A: No, these are wild animals and they bite! If you encounter a bear, make a lot of noise and stay in a group if possible. Do not approach the animal but back away slowly. If the bear stands there and watches you, you are too close. If it huffs or paws the ground, you are way too close. It's best to attend one of the bear programs while at the park to learn how to safely coexist with bears. Remember to store all food and anything with a fragrance in secure containers. Bears can recognize coolers and shopping bags as a food source, so these need to be out of sight.

Did You Know?

- DID YOU KNOW? Synchronous fire flies were discovered in 2011 by Adele Wellman, the lead naturalist in the park. Prior to their 2010 discovery in the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, synchronous fire flies were only known to exist in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina.

- DID YOU KNOW? Allegany State Park is home to 14 different species of salamanders.

- DID YOU KNOW? Allegany State Park is 100 square miles, so it never seems crowded.

- DID YOU KNOW? Allegany State Park has an extensive Environmental Education Program.

 

Key BCA Criteria:

-Migratory concentration site

-Diverse species concentration site

-Individual species concentration site

-Species at risk site

-Bird research site

The Allegany BCA is located within Allegany State Park, the largest park in the New York State Park system. Allegany BCA contains one of the largest tracts of interior forest within New York, and the entire BCA is over 95% forested. This extensive forest provides breeding and migratory stopover habitat for forest-interior species such as Swainson's Thrush, Blackburnian Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. Of 75 Neotropical migratory songbird species that breed in New York, 64 have been observed within the park. The park supports a large breeding population of Osprey and one of the largest breeding concentrations of Cerulean Warblers found in New York, both of which are state species of special concern. The BCA also provides habitat for other state-listed species, including Bald Eagle (threatened), Northern Goshawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk (all species of special concern). Finally, the park has supported many previous long-term research projects, and continues to support long-term bird banding projects.

Download a copy of the BCA map.

Sat 07 Dec
Saturday with Santa is on the Way
Saturday, December 7, 2024 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Allegany State Park - Red House Area
The holidays are fast approaching and there's no better way to get into the spirit than by spending some time in Allegany State Park. Join the Environmental Education Department for a fun, festive, family event! In this, the season of giving, we are asking event participants to bring non-perishable food items and/or an unwrapped toy to be donated to a local food pantry and Toys for Tots. The big day starts at 11:00 a.m. in the Red House area of the park with Santa's parade starting at 11:30 a.m. Santa will pass by Camp Allegany and the Administration building on his way to the Red House picnic shelter. Stop by and hang a couple of ornaments on the big tree in the Red House Administration Building and have a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie. The Red House Museum will be our quiet Holiday room for those that need a break from the lights and sounds of the season. Camp Allegany, site of Santa's Workshop, is open from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Make crafts, design your own button, play games, take pictures in the festive photo booth and other fun activities. Take part in the Allegany State Park Historical Society coloring contest in the Recreation Hall. He will be greeting and taking photos with children from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Don't forget to make your way back to Camp Allegany for the announcement of the coloring contest winner at 2:45 p.m. For more information, please contact the Environmental Education/ Recreation Department at 716-354-6232 or carrie.busekist@parks.ny.gov.
While You're Here Look for, but don’t touch, Spiny Softshell Turtles! They have rubbery shells & bite when caught.

Amenities Information

  • Amenities
  • Biking
  • Boat Launches
  • Boat Rentals
  • Camper Assistance Program
  • Campsites, Cabins & Lodging (Accessible)
  • Equestrian Trails
  • Fishing (Accessible)
  • Food (Accessible)
  • Gift Shop
  • Grills (Accessible)
  • Hiking
  • Hunting (Accessible)
  • Ice Fishing
  • Nature Center
  • Pavilions and Shelter Rentals (Accessible)
  • Playgrounds (Accessible)
  • Showers (Accessible)
  • Snowmobiling (Accessible)
  • Snowshoeing/X-Country Skiing
  • Swimming Beach